you heard it well described by chairman schumer in his remarks. today the statue of freedom and the spirit of freedom watches over the capital as another president from illinois has taken the oath of office. despite the challenges at home and abroad, we heard in president obama's eighth inaugural address a message of hope, a vision of peace, progress, prosperity, and the promise of freedom for all. may god bless you, president obama, vice-president biden, and your families. congratulations, with wishes for much success for you, for that is the success of our nation. may god bless you all, may god bless america. [applause] >> mr. president and dr. biden and your whole wonderful families, i rise now to toast the vice president of the united states and my former colleague and my friend, joe biden. mr. vice president, you have been an extraordinary leader of this nation and a true partner to our president these passed for years. you play many roles -- advisor, advocate, implementer, persuader, strategist, and most important of all, friend. we are conf